CONTROVERSIAL former Armed Forces comptroller Lt. Gen. Jacinto Ligot and his wife Erlinda yesterday appeared before the Justice Department as it began its preliminary investigation into the couple’s P428-million tax evasion suit lodged by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

However, they asked the DoJ for 10 more days to file their counter-affidavits.

The Ligots’ lawyer Rafael Zialcita stressed they needed additional time to refute the charges saying Mr. Ligot got a copy of the complaint only last March 28 while he was still under the Senate’s custody.

“Nabasa lang niya ang complaint nuong na-release siya. We don’t have time so we’re asking for additional time to file the counter-affidavits,” Zialcita said.

The BIR filed a P428-million tax evasion suit against the Ligots for eight counts of non-payment of tax and five counts of non-filing of income tax returns (ITRs) for taxable years 2001 to 2004.

According to the BIR, Ligot failed to file his ITR in 2001 while his wife likewise ignored filing her ITRs in 2001 to 2004.

They also failed to declare their income in 2001 worth P41,854,181.57; P103,601,281.22 in 2002; P165,367,784.39 in 2003; and P184,995,700.14 in 2004. Tax probers said the Ligots used the amounts to purchase properties and maintain huge bank deposits.

From 2001 to 2004, while the general was in service, he made several deposits and investments including two deposits with Citibank, US$1,288,418.91 and US$1,582,488.52. He also purchased properties in Malaybalay and Rizal provinces, a Paseo Parkview Tower II condominium unit in Salcedo Village, Makati, and a Toyota Hilux.

Likewise his wife Erlinda made several bank deposits including a US$200,000 deposit with Citibank. She also purchased several properties including the Paseo Parkview Tower II condominium unit in Makati, US$322,181 real property in Anaheim, California and a US$599,500 property in Buenas Park, California.